Spitzer Space Telescope - Directors Discretionary Time Proposal #12082
A Search for Sub-Earth Sized Transiting Planets 12 Parsecs from the Sun
Principal Investigator: Jason Dittmann
Institution: Harvard University
Technical Contact: Jason Dittmann, Harvard University
Co-Investigators:
David Charbonneau, Harvard University
Zachory Berta-Thompson, MIT
Jonathan Irwin, Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Elisabeth Newton, Harvard University
Science Category: extrasolar planets
Observing Modes: IRAC Post-Cryo Mapping
Hours Approved: 100
Priority: 1
Abstract:
The MEarth-South Observatory has recently discovered a 1.2 Earth-radius planet
around the mid-M dwarf GJ 1132. GJ 1132 is located only 12 parsecs away, and
therefore GJ 1132b is the closest transiting rocky planet whose atmosphere is
accessible by the James Webb Space Telescope. Previous studies have indicated
that planetary systems around M dwarfs are typically multi-planet systems in
close orbital configurations. Therefore, there is a significant likelihood that
there are additional transiting objects yet to be discovered. The most ambitious
and intense ground-based photometric and radial velocity monitoring campaigns
would be insensitive to these putative planets. However, Spitzer is capable of
discovering transiting planets the size of Mars and exomoons around GJ 1132b the
size of Earth's moon. GJ 1132b is already the most interesting target for JWST,
any additional planets in the system would also be prime JWST targets. We
propose a 100 hour intensive monitoring campaign of GJ 1132 to uncover these
potential objects.